Rubidium

By Marlee Billstein

Basic Facts

Symbol- Rb
Was discovered by Robert Bunsen and Gustav Kirchhoff in 1861
Atomic Number- 37
Atomic Mass- 85.4678
Number of protons- 37
Number of electrons- 37
Number of neutrons- 48.4678
Source of symbol- Latin word 'rubidius' meaning deepest red

Physical Facts

Melting point- 39.3 °C
Boiling point- 688 °C
Density- 1.532 g/cm3
Abundance- in Earth's crust - 9.0*10 exponent 1, in Earths ocean- 1.2*10 exponent -1

Uses

Working fluid for a vapor turbine
Compounds used in fireworks to give them a purple color
Making special glasses
Used in thin film batteries and other appliances

Where its Found

Found in the minerals lepidolite and pollucite. Both of these are special igneous known as a pegmatite
Its a form of a solid at room temperature

Sources